Reply #20: Europe vs. America and Israel? by J. R. Nyquist [View All]

[ozymandius]

If Europe is to come together politically, and the plan of unification is to be realized, some outside threat – that is, an outside economic threat – might be useful for the final push. At the moment, America is an obvious candidate. Now that Russia’s armored divisions are gone from central Europe, America’s protecting hand is superfluous. For those on Europe’s left, and for those who dream of a united Europe, it may be time to bite down hard on superfluous things.

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Recently, the European Union and the United States have been unable to agree on a formula for anti-dumping duties. Mobilizing for maximum political advantage, and for the mileage this promises to the cause of European unity, Brussels is preparing to blast the U.S. with an official complaint before the World Trade Organization. It’s a win-win move for Brussels and a lose-lose situation for Washington (because Washington has a strategic interest in Europe while Europe has none in America). Theoretically, free trade is a good thing for all peaceful nations. But free trade is like the man in the moon. Our fanciful mood sees him even though he isn’t there at all. And modern legislation being what it is, with differing rates of taxation, with fluctuating national currencies and subsidies, one is left to search in vain for the Seven Cities of Gold, the Fountain of Youth and free trade. Does it anywhere exist? Has it ever existed? Will it ever be found?

As Brussels prepares its complaint before the WTO, Washington appears unwilling to back down. There are other disputes on the table, as well. Europe and America disagree over US export subsidies, hormones in beef and genetically modified crops. America is also being blamed for the collapse of WTO development talks in Cancun.

Is the European relationship with America headed for an impasse?